La Petite Coquette Lingerie Blogette

Celeb Spotting: Cindy Crawford & La Petite Coquette

Cindy Crawford and La Petite Coquette go waaaay back. We like to consider it a long-term relationship. Yes, it was lust at first sight. If you see her, you can't help but be mesmerized. But we've come to truly love her and hope we stay together forever.

She came by the store the other day to pick up some basic bras, and our infatuation continues. Cindy actually provided the following blurb for the back cover of The Lingerie Handbook: 

"How lucky we are that Rebecca Apsan is sharing her expertise and enthusiasm. I love how she celebrates women's bodies and brings out the little flirt in each of us."

How lucky we are to count Cindy as one of our tried-and-true, long-time customers. She is not only beyond beautiful (and dare we say she did more for the perfectly placed above-the-lip mole than even Marilyn Monroe), but she is also brilliant. Some of the things she has said through the years truly go down in quotation history, and attest to the mind behind that gorgeous face (and body, and skin, and hair). Here is a small slice of her Diana Vreeland-worthy words from the past:

"The face you have at age 25 is the face God gave you, but the face you have after 50 is the face you earned."

"Even I don't wake up looking like Cindy Crawford."

Cindy, we adore you. We respect you. And we're so appreciative that you've stuck with us all these years.

Image via here

Celeb Spotting: David Blaine & Model Girlfriend Alizee Guinochet Lingerie Shopping at La Petite Coquette

Every little thing he does is magic...

Illusionist, maker-of-magic, and performer of seemingly impossible feats, David Blaine and his girlfriend, model Alizee Guinochet, came by La Petite Coquette the other day. He was as kind and charming as can be, and posed here with LPC owner Rebecca Apsan. As usual, Rebecca schmoozed and found out a few interesting factoids:

- He's half Jewish and half Puerto Rican.

- His next feat is to go across the ocean in a human-sized glass bottle.

- He performed a fantastical feat on the spot, at the store, in front of a highly skeptical, very suspicious and eagle-eyed audience. The poor guy probably can't run to the deli without having to pull from his bag of tricks, but he was extremely gracious throughout.

- He goes lingerie shopping à deux...which of course we love. And who doesn't want a little romantic time with their man before he sets sail across the world in a glass bottle? 

It was a magical mix of lingerie, love and legerdemain (that's our latest faaaancy word du jour).

 

How cute is it that the word LOVE floats right above them? Did he will that to happen? We shall never tell...

Muse in Lingerie: Gisele

More Brazilians, this time in Muse magazine with the uber-Brazilian of all gorgeous, golden Brazilians: Gisele Bundchen. We usually try to stick to the lingerie theme, only showing directly lingerie-related images. Correction: showing only lingerie images. Not the evocative. The innuendo. The hints and teases that are also, in their own way, like lingerie. It's a prelude. Something that puts you in the mood. And that, dear viewers, is why we we felt this entire editorial was worth including. Doesn't it say lingerie, in its own way? It draws you in with subtlety: a nape of the neck, a peek of bra strap. A certain fragile frisson. (Did we just write that line?! Sorry, but these images just make one start waxing all poetic.)

 

 

    

 

    

 

    

Photographer – Nino Muñoz; Model – Gisele Bundchen; Makeup – Yumi. Muse, Summer 2010.

Alessandra Ambrosio + Gorgeous Lingerie + Vogue Brazil: You Know It Looks Good

Wow. What more can one say? There sure is something about those Brazilians. And I don't mean the cut of her cheek-revealing bikini bottoms. Or her wax job. There was once a line somewhere that said "A million Brazilians can't be wrong." There's something to that!

 

  

  

 

  Photographer – Jacques Dequeker
; Model – Alessandra Ambrosio; Stylist – Giovanni Frasson: Hair/Makeup – Robert Estevão. Vogue Brazil, July 2010.

Smoldering Summer Siren

May your weekend be as sexy and steamy as these swimwear shots...although maybe the leather jacket can stay at home when it's 90 degrees (but the idea of it is just so hot):

 

 

 

  

  

Images: Kate Moss photographed by Mario Sorrenti for Vogue Paris June/July 2010, styled by Emmanuelle Alt, via here.

Introducing Undrest: The Cutest, Comfiest, Cali-est Lingerie (with a conscious)

We just brought in a new brand that makes the cutest, comfiest lingerie: Undrest. 

It’s a line that makes you look good, feel good and do good. They are 100% vertically integrated, designed and made in Los Angeles...and once you slip it onto your body, you’ll see how it embodies that Cali coastal vibe.

Established in 2007 by Maria Paz Navalez, this luxury lingerie, lounge and swimwear brand is known for its comfy fit and fine fabrics that include pure California supima cotton, exquisite silks and cashmere. It also has a casual, girly, whimsical sensibility - not too serious, never too heavy, light and airy. It almost seems like soft-focused dreamy sunshine will just immediately appear when you wear it.

Some other factoids about Undrest:

The entire line is produced in-house in their atelier/warehouse, created in the same manner of a true atelier of yesteryear, where a production team of sewers works side-by-side with the designer (not thousands of miles away, like most of today’s mass overseas production).

Undrest supports, participates, and encourages anti-child labor, sweatshop-free, made in the USA products. Undrest also does their part by helping keep the earth green by sourcing 90% of their materials locally to reduce the use of fuel and pollution

Sizing: Undrest does not adhere to a traditional numerical size gradation because the garments are very flexible and intended to be enjoyed in comfort. Because of the elastic in many of our pieces, there is a lot of give in the garment allowing it to stretch to fit different body types comfortably. Below, please find the size chart intended only as a guideline to help you choose the right size for you.

Size 1 = XS/0-2; 30/32 A

Size 2 = S/4-6; 32/34 A/B

Size 3 = M/8-10; 34/36 C

Size 4 = L/XL 10-14; 36/38 D

Take a look at some of these pieces. Don’t they make you want to rip off your clothes and...get Undrest?! They're all available online and in store.

 





            Images (not on model):  Amelie Racerback Nightie, Marisa Bralette & Girlshort, Amelie Halter Bralette & Brief, Marissa Camisole with Brazilian Lace Girlshort, Brazilian Lace Camisole, Amelie Ruffle Hoodie Robe.

Images: Undrest

Instant Princess-ification & Customization: Jane Woolrich Lingerie for Fairytale Endings

We just introduced the seriously seductive lingerie brand Maison Close, so now we'll go to the other extreme with some dreamy lingerie that is perfect for brides-to-be, and anyone else who wants instant princess-ification. And customization!

Jane Woolrich designs some of the most beautiful lingerie you've never heard of...until now.

Created in the English countryside, her lingerie is best known for its ethereal romance. Light-as-air lace graces the edges of silks and satins typically cut on the bias for shapes that really (really!) do fit. At La Petite Coquette, her gowns are extremely popular for brides - no trousseau is complete without an utterly, breathtakingly, from-another-era, sweeping gown that seems almost too good for this world.

One of the most unique features of Jane Woolrich is the ability to customize your lingerie. She takes pride in special customer service and offers custom-made orders for any size, making her designs available to all different women. She truly lives up to her tagline "designed to make women feel special". We're jaded New Yorkers who automatically tune out any line that might sound sappy and saccharine sweet, but the customization definitely delivers on that point. The below gowns are shown in satin, but can also be custom-made in silk. Just email us for details (info@thelittleflirt.com)!

So, how come this is the first you've heard of Jane Woolrich?

The answer is simple. Jane is the same person she ever was...with a real passion for what she does. Yet despite being offered numerous opportunities to put herself in to the media, quite simply, Jane lets her designs do the talking. She remains happy working with her small but talented and dedicated team, from the centre of the English countryside....

...With little publicity and the minimum of fuss, Jane is renowned within the trade as a creator of styling that represents the epitome of romance.

 

Long gown with low lace-up back and train, available in ivory or black.

 

Long gown with low back and waterfall ruffle, available in blush and baby pink.

Introducing Maison Close: Very Evocative & Provocative French Lingerie

We just received a lot of very naughty (and very nice) lingerie from Maison Close. This lingerie brand from France has been extremely popular with our customers who have been shocked by...its scandalously low prices. Almost everything is under $100, but looks exquisitely expensive. All items below are available at our store, and most are on our site. The weather might be hot out, but it seems people are willing to let things get a little hotter at home.

The philosophy behind the brand lies in its commitment to "a peculiarly French style of love games in which gallantry and naughty pleasures form a perfect blend." It is "erotic and chic." 

Each collection has a tempting little story of seduction, a peek into what's to come (and hopefully come and come again):

In the doorway, a mysterious brunette dragged me out of my torpor....Perched on vertiginous high heels with buckles underlining the incredible finesse of her ankles, the diva was there, holding her silk gloves. In her pencil skirt, the black panther gave glimpses of what was in store through the delicate lace. A satin bustier emphasized her narrow waist, creating a balcony of two delicious white sins. We found our meeting place...

Villa Satine

 
   
 
 Above, The Villa Satine Collection: Cuffs (worn with Villa Caprice Cupless Bra), Bralette, Garter Belt, Panty and Garter.

Villa Bel-Ami

 

Above, The Villa Bel-Ami Collection: Push-Up Bra and Girdle Thong.

Villa Caprice

   
 
 Above, The Villa Caprice Collection: Bodysuit, Cuffs and Thong Suspenders (Cupless Bra also available, shown with Villa Satine collection for nudity prevention).

And all the rest...

 

Above: La Petite Leçon Ruler, available in black or purple. For those who have not yet learned their lesson, teach them the rulers of seduction.

           Above: La Divine Mascarade Eye Mask.

 Above: Lace and Satin Blindfold. Always remember: "To dim the sensation of light is to heighten that of caress."

Images/text via Maison Close.

Celeb Spotting: Molly Sims Lingerie Shopping at La Petite Coquette

Yesterday, Molly Sims was a virgin. Today, she's an official La Petite Coquette customer, and we couldn't be more thrilled. The supermodel stunner stopped by our shop for the very first time yesterday for a little lingerie shopping - and, lucky us, she said she'd be back!

 Image: Photographed by Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated.

Celeb Spotting: Julianna Margulies & Leslie Bibb

We recently had two simultaneous celebrity lingerie-shopping spottings. The first to appear was Julianna Margulies who has been a customer of Rebecca for at least five years now. The second to arrive was Leslie Bibb, who was shopping with a friend. Julianna and Leslie spotted each other and started chatting it up for a little while in the middle of the store. Both of them were in no rush to leave and bought lots of goodies! 

 

Above: Julianna was the cover star of W Magazine for the May issue. She is wearing a Dior silk satin romper and an Agent Provocateur polyester bra. Photographed by Nathaniel Goldberg. Styled by Lori Goldstein.

 

Above: Leslie Bibb for FHM.